Should Reparations Be Paid to the Descendants of Slaves? Christopher Hitchens Debate (2001)

Reparations for Slavery in the United States?

Although nearly seven in ten Americans oppose paying reparations to African Americans who are descendants of slaves for the harm and racial discrimination caused by slavery, opinion divides along racial lines according to an Exclusive Point Taken-Marist Poll (LINK), commissioned by WGBH Boston for its new late-night, multi-platform PBS debate series Point Taken. While white Americans overwhelmingly oppose restitution, a majority of African Americans favor redress. Latino Americans divide.

Nearly six in ten Americans assert the current wealth of the United States is not significantly tied to work done in the past by slaves, although most consider the history of slavery and other forms of racial discrimination to be at least a minor factor in the gap in wealth between white and black Americans. Here too, opinions differ based on racial background.

The national survey was conducted by The Marist Poll in advance of this week’s Point Taken episode, airing Tuesday, May 10th at 11pm ET (check local listings) and streaming on pbs.org/pointtaken. The series is hosted by Carlos Watson, Emmy Award winning journalist and OZY Media co-founder and CEO.

68% of residents nationally do not think the United States should pay reparations to descendants of slaves, and a similar proportion of American adults, 72%, argue that the United States should not compensate African Americans, in general, for the harm caused by slavery and other forms of racial discrimination.

White Americans, 81%, are much more likely than African Americans, 35%, and Latinos, 47%, to oppose giving monetary compensation to descendants of slaves. Similarly, 85% of white residents, but, only 32% of African-American adults are against giving reparations to all African-American citizens. Of note, Latinos divide about whether or not reparations should be paid to the descendants of slaves. However, a majority of Latinos, 54%, do not support paying reparations to all African Americans for the harm caused by slavery.

Differences based on generation are also present. Millennials are more likely than older generations to favor paying reparations to, both, the descendants of slaves and the larger African-American community. However, 49% of millennials oppose providing compensation to the descendants of slaves, and a majority, 56%, is against paying reparations to African Americans, in general.

Greater support for reparations exists when the question spotlights private companies who admitted and apologized for profiting from American slavery. Still, 58% of Americans say these companies should not pay money to descendants of slaves, and 65% oppose paying reparations to the larger African American population for the harm and racism stemming from slavery.

Again, differences based on race and generation exist. African Americans, 75%, are more likely than whites, 25%, and Latinos, 54%, to support reparations to the descendants of slaves paid by companies who admit to profiting from slavery. Millennials, 55% are more likely than older Americans to favor these private companies paying reparations.

When it comes to these private companies giving monetary compensation to the overall African-American community, 64% of African Americans and 53% of Latinos, compared with 18% of whites, favor such payments. While a majority of millennials, 51%, oppose such action, they are more likely than their older counterparts to support this proposal.

"These results, while not surprising, are indeed striking in the persistent racial divide in attitudes about reparations. Tonight, Point Taken delves into this sensitive and provocative subject," says Denise DiIanni, series creator and Senior Executive-in- Charge.

59% of Americans say the current wealth of the United States is not significantly tied to work done in the past by slaves. But, 71% of residents think the history of slavery and other forms of racial discrimination is at least a minor factor in the wealth disparity between white and black Americans. Included here are 40% of residents who believe this is a major factor in the wealth gap.

African Americans, 66%, are more likely than whites, 21%, and Latinos, 44%, to say the wealth of the United States is significantly tied to work done by slaves. Generationally, millennials, 44%, are more likely than older generations to report the current wealth of the United States is significantly tied to work done by slaves. 46% say there is not a significant link.

Spanning all demographic groups, at least a majority thinks the history of slavery and other forms of racial discrimination in the United States is at least a minor factor in the gap of wealth between white and black Americans. However, there are some notable distinctions. 90% of African Americans, compared with 81% of Latinos and 66% of whites, have this view. In fact, 73% of African Americans consider slavery and discrimination to be a major factor in that disparity. Millennials, 56%, are also more likely than other generations to perceive this to be a major factor.

Many Americans, 69%, including half of African Americans, think slavery and racial discrimination is part of the history of the United States, but it is time to move beyond it. 27% believe slavery and racial discrimination is a wrong that still needs to be made right by the U.S. government. Whites, 76%, are more likely than Latinos, 56%, and African Americans, 50%, to think the nation should move beyond this concern. Of note, 49% of African Americans report this is a wrong that still needs to be corrected. Millennials, 57%, are the least likely of the generations to believe it’s time to put the issue of slavery behind the nation and are the most likely to report that it is still a wrong that needs to be made right by the U.S. government, 40%.

This survey of 1,221 adults was conducted April 27th and April 28th and May 2nd through May 4th, 2016 by The Marist Poll sponsored and funded in partnership with WGBH’s Point Taken. Adults 18 years of age and older residing in the contiguous United States were contacted on landline or mobile numbers and interviewed in English by telephone using live interviewers. Results are statistically significant within ±2.8 percentage points. The error margin increases for cross-tabulations.

About The Marist Poll
Founded in 1978, The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion (MIPO) is a survey research center at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York. The Marist Poll has conducted independent research on public priorities, elections, and a wide variety of social issues. Through the regular public release of surveys, MIPO has built a legacy of independence, reliability, and accuracy. Its results are featured in print and electronic media throughout the world.

About WGBH Boston
WGBH Boston is America’s preeminent public broadcaster and the largest producer of PBS content for TV and the Web, including Frontline, Nova, American Experience, Masterpiece, Antiques Roadshow, Arthur, Curious George and more than a dozen other primetime, lifestyle, and children’s series. WGBH also is a major supplier of programming for public radio, and oversees Public Radio International (PRI). As a leader in educational multimedia for the classroom, WGBH supplies content to PBS LearningMedia, a national broadband service for teachers and students. WGBH also is a pioneer in technologies and services that make media accessible to those with hearing or visual impairments. WGBH has been recognized with hundreds of honors. More info at http://wgbh.org.

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Should US Pay Reparations to Black Americans?

"Should the US pay reparations to Black Americans?” is the topic for discussion and debate on PBS’ POINT TAKEN next week on May 10th @ 11pm.

Hosted by engaging TV journalist & OZY CEO Carlos Watson, the entertaining new multiplatform weekly dialogue and debate series POINT TAKEN encourages spirited and civil conversation, features special guest panelists who explore all sides of a key issue, and incorporates audience input with polling & social media elements. Each weekly episode airs Tuesday nights at 11:00 pm and announces results from a national, independent “Exclusive Point Taken-Marist Poll Survey” commissioned the weekend before, which helps frame and inform the televised debate and digital discourse.

PROGRAM TOPICS TO DATE + LINKS + POLL FINDINGS: PBS' POINT TAKEN (in order of airing, starting with most recent):

Got Issues? Want to Share?
New Series Point Taken on PBS Creates Forum to Debate National Topics with Audience Input
Premieres April 5, 2016 at 11 P.M.

March 17, 2016 (Boston, MA)— Americans now can be a part of the national conversation with the launch of Point Taken http://www.pbs.org/pointtaken>, PBS' new, late-night, multi-platform series. Hosted by Carlos Watson, an Emmy Award-winning journalist and co-founder/CEO of OZY Media, the weekly debate series will champion spirited and civil conversation. Each half-hour program will focus on a single topic and feature journalists, artists, academics, and experts who will passionately and persuasively explore all sides of a key issue. The first of 10 episodes premieres on PBS on April 5, 2016 at 11 P.M. ET (check local listings).

Produced by WGBH Boston’s Studio Six, and made possible with support from The Pew Charitable Trusts, Point Taken will bring fresh and varied voices to the table to debate key issues facing Americans. Audiences will join the conversation, contributing each week through polling and social media. Participation is a core element of the series, and the public is invited to share views and find common ground through thoughtful dialogue. Watson will pose a single question each week, moderating the panelists’ discussion with insight and humor.

“Americans trust public media to explore issues that matter,” says Denise DiIanni, series creator and Senior Executive-in-Charge for WGBH. “By tapping into social media we will involve citizens across the country in these important conversations.”

“Every day millions of Americans turn to PBS and local stations as trusted and balanced sources to cover the topics that matter most to them,” said Marie Nelson, Vice President, News and Public Affairs, PBS. “We are excited to add Point Taken to our roster of programming and provide a forum where everyday Americans can share – and reconsider – their personal viewpoints.”

The Marist Institute for Public Opinion will conduct a national survey in advance of every episode to frame and inform the televised debate and the digital discourse. Episodes will air and stream within hours of taping at WGBH’s studio. Viewpoints posted using #PointTakenPBS on Facebook and Twitter, as well as on PBS.org before and during each Tuesday’s broadcast will be integrated and displayed as part of the program. Every online and in-studio vote can count—and the results will be tabulated in real-time. The conversation will continue online and on social media throughout the week.

“From this year’s surprising presidential campaign to the Oscars controversy to evolving church and state boundaries, there could not be a better time to create a wide-open arena for curious people to come together and debate the critical issues facing this country,” explains Carlos Watson, Point Taken’s host.

Grounded, persuasive and passionate – Point Taken promises to be a winning candidate in the field of late-night TV for the digital age.

Point Taken is a production of Studio Six at WGBH Boston. Series creator and Senior Executive-in-charge: Denise Dilanni. Host: Carlos Watson; Executive Producer: Shelagh Leahy; Senior Series Producer: Anne Adams. Major funding provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts, WGBH, PBS, and public television viewers.

About WGBH Boston
WGBH Boston is America’s preeminent public broadcaster and the largest producer of PBS content for TV and the Web, including Frontline, Nova, American Experience, Masterpiece, Antiques Roadshow, Arthur, Curious George and more than a dozen other primetime, lifestyle, and children’s series. WGBH also is a major supplier of programming for public radio, and oversees Public Radio International (PRI). As a leader in educational multimedia for the classroom, WGBH supplies content to PBS LearningMedia, a national broadband service for teachers and students. WGBH also is a pioneer in technologies and services that make media accessible to those with hearing or visual impairments. WGBH has been recognized with hundreds of honors. More info at www.wgbh.orghttp://www.wgbh.org/

About Studio Six
WGBH Boston’s Studio Six production unit specializes in timely broadcast and digital productions, such as town hall specials America After Ferguson and America After Charleston. Studio Six develops and produces PBS limited series, including I’ll Have What Phil’s Having with Phil Rosenthal; the natural history series, Vanishing Creatures (wt) scheduled for 2017; and the recurring Lidia Celebrates America specials with Lidia Bastianich. With an expertise in lifestyles and cooking content, the Studio Six team produces 50 hours of content annually, including Moveable Feast with Fine Cooking and Simply Ming. Studio Six producers have been recognized with the industry’s highest awards, including dozens of Emmys as well as the Edward R. Murrow, Cine, Telly, James Beard, and Peabody Awards.

About PBS
PBS http://www.pbs.org/ with 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches nearly 100 million people through television and nearly 33 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS' broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry's most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS' premier children's TV programming and its website, pbskids.org http://pbskids.org/ , are parents' and teachers' most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org http://www.pbs.org/> , one of the leading dot-org websites on the Internet, or by following PBS on Twitter https://mobile.twitter.com/pbs , Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pbs or through our apps for mobile devices http://www.pbs.org/anywhere/home/ . Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom http://pressroom.pbs.org/ or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter https://mobile.twitter.com/pbspressroom .

BIOGRAPHIES

Carlos Watson, Host
Carlos is an entrepreneur and Emmy-winning journalist based in Silicon Valley. Carlos is the founder and CEO of OZY, a breakthrough digital news and culture magazine that launched in September 2013. Custom built for the "Change Generation," OZY helps its 20 million plus readers both get caught up on the most important news of the day with its Presidential Daily Brief (PDB) http://www.ozy.com/presidential-daily-brief , and vault ahead with original content featuring new people http://www.ozy.com/rising-stars , new trends http://www.ozy.com/fast-forward and new opinions http://www.ozy.com/provocateurs each day. Carlos brings to OZY a textured background in both business and media. In the media world, Carlos anchored shows for CNN and MSNBC and hosted a series of Emmy-winning interview specials. As a businessman, Carlos built Achieva College Prep Services into one of the nation's largest college prep companies before selling it to the Washington Post/Kaplan. He also worked as the Global Head of Education Investment Banking for Goldman Sachs and as a management consultant for McKinsey & Company. Carlos grew up in Miami and holds an A.B. in Government from Harvard University and a J.D. from Stanford Law School.

Denise DiIanni, Senior Executive in Charge, Content Development
Denise DiIanni is Senior Executive in Charge, Content Development, for WGBH National Programming. Within this capacity she spearheads new productions for broadcast and broadband, including projects such as Broadway or Bust and Sacred Journeys. Earlier in her career, DiIanni was an award-winning producer, writer and director for the NOVA Science Unit, as well as a Senior Producer and Executive Producer on limited series. DiIanni was also the founder and Executive Director of the WGBH Lab.

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BLACK / AFRICAN AMERICAN REPARATIONS

African American Reparation...Political advocacy organization for the support of the movement to redress historical wrongs of slavery in the United States.

Slavery Reparations ...Slavery Reparations for Blacks are Deserved a better idea is economic justice for everyone.

The African American Reparation Action Network... This page points out that there are many precedents for reparations to slavery, in that many other oppressed ethnic groups have been given compensation for crimes against humanity.